Solgua14https://solgua14.wordpress.com
This is a blog created to document Grinnell College's SOL's 2014 trip to GuatemalaSat, 17 Mar 2018 02:30:10 +0000enhourly1http://wordpress.com/https://s2.wp.com/i/buttonw-com.pngSolgua14https://solgua14.wordpress.com
So what now?https://solgua14.wordpress.com/2014/02/21/so-what-now/
https://solgua14.wordpress.com/2014/02/21/so-what-now/#respondFri, 21 Feb 2014 16:25:28 +0000http://solgua14.wordpress.com/?p=437We will continue to make our experiences present on campus through GLASS (Grinnell Latin American Solidarity Society), a group all 10 trip members have founded and that has met 1-2 times a week upon our return. As a group, our members have supported Latin American activities on campus, contributed to ongoing discussions of migration, and presented our trip to groups of students and adults (ranging from local girl scouts to the division of student affairs). We are constructing a 10 day photography exhibit of our trip and informational fair by collaborating with groups with whom we’ve began to establish relationships. As a part of a long term goal, GLASS will continue the organization of School of the Americas trip that has been done in the past by multiple groups (and historically the job of SOL -Student Organization of Latinos and Latina, increase awareness and sensitivity towards migration issues in addition to our more short-term goals. Those goals include screening a documentary through FILMS related to immigration and connecting that to our guest speaker, Eli, a leader of Group Cajola. We have also been working through SPARC to create a calendar or book of our 10 days that makes our art active versus passive. So the publication will not just be Guatemala at a glance, but Guatemala in the larger context of migration, exploitation, bravery, hope, etc. that will include photos and some writing. Through collaboration with pioneer diversity counsel we will throw an outdoor graffiti show, whose topic this year is political art, to continue the discussion of arts role as active. Finally, we are working with continuing our relationships with the fair-trade organizations in Guatemala by collaborating with the women’s weaving co-op Y’abal on our senior stoles, and connecting students directly to coffee farmers from Nueva Alianza to highlight direct trade versus indirect.

]]>https://solgua14.wordpress.com/2014/02/21/so-what-now/feed/0gjbarela51Guatemayahttps://solgua14.wordpress.com/2014/01/30/guatemaya/
https://solgua14.wordpress.com/2014/01/30/guatemaya/#respondThu, 30 Jan 2014 06:39:17 +0000http://solgua14.wordpress.com/?p=350A final reflection at we enter the snowy land we call Grinnell, IA. Leaving Guatemala was difficult. It was difficult to say goodbye to the friends we had made, Jenny and Jhonathan, at the airport. As we departed, it was difficult to wave goodbye to the beautiful green mountains knowing that we would be landing into icy hills. I did not miss Grinnell one bit after our adventures in Guatemala…

On the last day in Antigua during discussion, we wrote down a word that describes our whole experience in Guatemala, except Jhonathan put Guatemaya at the center instead of Guatemala. Guatemaya makes reference to the people of Guatemala, descendent of Mayans, and to changing the view that the country is truly Guate “mala”. Words such as educative, solidarity, knowledge, humbling, green, coffee, chingon, and inspiring were written down on the sheet. I put empowering. I think the trip through Guatemala’s history, culture, cities, foods, music, struggles, and triumphs empowered me in the sense that it enlightened me. I learned not only of individuals’ stories or the story of a community, but also about the structural problems that are causing the struggles that we witnessed. I learned where my coffee came from and what I’m supporting by buying Alianza coffee. I felt empowered as a consumer because it was reiterated how my choices as a consumer are important in supporting or not supporting a corporation. I felt empowered to see people standing up to the mining, standing up to landowners, and governing their communities. I felt more alive and in touch with myself after hiking the volcano. The fresh air refreshed my lungs and brain. Being in that sacred place brought me peace and serenity. I felt empowered after burning my fears and worries at the Mayan cosmovision ceremony and leaving with a greater connection to the earth. I took in the natural beauty of the country and the knowledge of the people through the lessons they taught us.

On this trip, not only did I meet new people from Guatemala, but I got to know the people in the group better. We learned and grew as a group. Although the group dynamic was set in Grinnell, the group bonded more each day as we met challenges and gained new knowledge. I have to say, my compañeros are some amazing Grinnellians that are going to do great things. I connected with Cassie and her love for the environment, which reignited my own respect and passion for preserving nature. I am excited to see the art that Martin and Amy will make in the future, perhaps inspired by the political art we saw. I would like to talk more with Enrique about his thoughts on politics. I would like Jason to teach me more about the education system in the US. Its always great to talk to Kiyan and connect our experience to all the concepts we learned in our seminars, both Economic and Spanish. James’ interest and respect toward the unfamiliar and unknown are sure to help in his chemistry experimentation and musical compositions. I loved that my fellow co-leader, Marlu, went on this trip and is as excited as I am to bring it back to SOL. Gabe learned with us and grew with us too, so he shared the same struggles and confusions as we did. I appreciated his knowledge of theory and his opinion as an educator as we all struggled to wrap our minds around some hard concepts.

The most important thing about the trip was that it was not a classroom setting. We weren’t graded on our thoughts or feelings about what we were learning. For once, I didn’t have to structure my thinking to please a grader. We openly talked about our thoughts, ideas, or feelings in any way that helped us process the information. We were honest with each other and with ourselves. I was able to let go of my fear of saying something wrong and be able to say what I really thought, even though what I was saying might not have been clearly thought out. It was a hands on experience, a real world experience, a human experience, and a humbling one. Seeing the world, actually seeing other parts of the world, brought a different perspective to the world we live in (being the US of A), which is actually really different than from the rest of the world. Talking to people, actually talking to people that are affected by the policies we talk about in class, taught me more about economy, political science, sociology, Spanish, anthropology, history, etc., than I will ever learn in Grinnell or any other institution. Because sometimes, being institutionalized isn’t enough. Sometimes taking a walk with a farmer is what we need to learn how a seed grows.

-Tanya S.

]]>https://solgua14.wordpress.com/2014/01/30/guatemaya/feed/0gjbarela51Nueva Alianza Day 8/9https://solgua14.wordpress.com/2014/01/29/nueva-alianza-day-89/
https://solgua14.wordpress.com/2014/01/29/nueva-alianza-day-89/#respondWed, 29 Jan 2014 21:02:24 +0000http://solgua14.wordpress.com/?p=325Monday/Tuesday, January 13-14 2014
These two days were were hosted by a rural community called Nueva Alianza. We met Kevin, a man our age who has worked in and for the community since he was very young. He told some of us that he was at one point in Xela, or a neighboring city, but couldn’t fit in. Instead, he is a leader in the community fighting for the youth programs, education/ and unity between all the families. On the first day in Nueva Alianza, we took a tour of where all their programs take place. For example, they had a bio-diesel, purification of water, macadamia, and coffee projects. In addition Kevin and the 8 families that are still unified (out of ~60), choose to do everything in an organic fair-trade manner. It struck me that only 8 families choose to stay together (which I didn’t find out until the evening bonfire), and the extra costs and time that go into being organic. Like making coffee consumable takes OVER A YEAR. From growing, breeding, and the >5 steps it takes to make it in final form.
I couldn’t be more grateful for our hosts and everything they were willing to share.

Fair trade is a fad, I have noticed that. But what I haven’t realized, that every sticker of certification costs rural communities thousands. I look forward to how we can be responsible consumers of fair-trade at Grinnell and in my family. A problem that fair-trade tries to solve is the despair between money earned based on gender, children exploitation, and large amount of gain the middle man gets by exploiting rural communities (who often aren’t informed of their rights).

-Amy

]]>https://solgua14.wordpress.com/2014/01/29/nueva-alianza-day-89/feed/0gjbarela51Antigua–Dude, you’re white here.https://solgua14.wordpress.com/2014/01/26/antigua-dude-youre-white-here/
https://solgua14.wordpress.com/2014/01/26/antigua-dude-youre-white-here/#respondSun, 26 Jan 2014 16:57:14 +0000http://solgua14.wordpress.com/?p=358I decided to write my final reflection in English so that we could have some of our follows that haven’t had a chance to experience my point of view on the trip can now do so. That was wordy. I think I’m better at this in Spanish haha. Well, we got to spend our last day in Antigua, which was a very long drive; I think everyone shares the same sentiment when I say that we won’t be taking another road trip or driving in Iowa for A WHILE!

After just about 80% of us getting sick in some way shape or form, we were ready to have our last day be relaxing and spent as tourists. OH MY GOODNESS. When we weren’t bombarded by people selling their products and creations in the streets, we were being looked at as foreigners, which for me, was a different feeling. During the previous parts of the trip, I always felt comforted by the fact that although I was from the US and lived a luxurious life (or so everyone thought), I was still able to speak with and connect on some level through my spanish. And ofr ht efirst time during this trip, although I identified as “other” in the US, comfortable walking through a Latin American country to which I had never been, I was being categorized as the “other”, the rich, white “other”. For me, this was a very strange feeling, it made this day a little bit difficult to enjoy in the sense that it was a very relaxing day for shopping (who does that?? go to a foreign country and “shop”. UGH. First world problems. Privilege…every other word that you can think of. Patriarchy).

After a day and night here, we gave our last reflections and decided that it was not up to us to “help”, but to walk with people that suffer and struggle. Because they are not helpless, and we aren’t saviors. They are our brothers and sister. We are all HIJOS of some struggle. And all that we can do is be there to walk with them in solidarity. That is why SOL is starting a new chapter at Grinnell for social and political activism called “Grinnellian Latin American Solidarity Society”. Add us on Facebook, more to come !!

]]>https://solgua14.wordpress.com/2014/01/26/el-amanecer-mosquitos-y-ah-un-latte/feed/0gjbarela51Day 10 Reflection Antigua Guatemala-Gabe Barelahttps://solgua14.wordpress.com/2014/01/22/day-10-reflection-antigua-guatemala-gabe-barela/
https://solgua14.wordpress.com/2014/01/22/day-10-reflection-antigua-guatemala-gabe-barela/#respondWed, 22 Jan 2014 03:00:18 +0000http://solgua14.wordpress.com/2014/01/22/day-10-reflection-antigua-guatemala-gabe-barela/Day 10 (and our second to last day) in Guatemala proved to be a bittersweet day. It was sweet in the fact that we had a very relaxed day and got to spend several hours being “tourists” in the beautiful city of Antigua. It was bitter in that the trip is almost over and I am not quite ready to give up the beautiful scenery and great group of students I have gotten to work with while I have been out here.

Aside from the great opportunity to relax a bit via retail therapy in Antigua day 10 also brought about a great closing activity and next steps workshop led by the in country coordinators. The closing activity included an opportunity to speak with each student and co leader individually to share how I valued and learned from them during the trip. Although, I do not really get emotional during these types of activities, I found myself choking back a lump in my throat as I expressed to each student and in country delegate how much I appreciated learning from them during the trip and building a closer relationship that would extend into the future. I was reminded of how fortunate I am to be around such phenomenal and engaged students and how great it was to work with the in country delegates over the past 9 months.

The next steps activity was also very inspiring because it provided a chance to hear more about what students got out of the trip and equally important, what they planned to bring back to campus. I was impressed by the passion and intentionality students conveyed as they discussed creating partnerships with the groups we visited and discussed lobbying various campus committees to consider where food and other items come from. Additionally, students demonstrated tremendous creativity in discussing art based projects they wanted to bring back to campus.

It will definitely be hard to say goodbye to beautiful Guatemala, the in country coordinators and the group in this setting, but I am definitely excited to get back to Grinnell and cross paths with the wonderful students I have gotten to know better these past 10 days and continue to work with them as we share this phenomenal experience we had together!!

]]>https://solgua14.wordpress.com/2014/01/22/day-10-reflection-antigua-guatemala-gabe-barela/feed/0gjbarela51Antigua, aka gringolandiahttps://solgua14.wordpress.com/2014/01/21/antigua-aka-gringolandia/
https://solgua14.wordpress.com/2014/01/21/antigua-aka-gringolandia/#respondTue, 21 Jan 2014 18:23:17 +0000http://solgua14.wordpress.com/?p=346We left Nueva Allianza in the morning to go to Antigua. Before we left, we gathered with the community members that had hosted us and said our thanks. We were thankful for the great food, for the beds, for the tour, the coffee, the water, and the lesson about where our coffee comes from. Then we made our way to Antigua, away from the green mountains and toward a tourist town.

As our driver said when we got there, welcome to gringolandia. There were so many tourists. Even though we arrived late in the evening, people were still walking around central park. It was a safe city because of the amount of tourists, we could take as many pictures as we wanted now and carry around backpacks. The contrast was remarkable. Compared to the capital, Xela, Nueva Alianza especially, Antigua was made for tourists. The cobblestone roads were preserved, there were plenty of shops that sold relics and trinkets of Guatemala, there were a variety of restaurants, and still lots of motorcycles. The amount of things to buy. So many commodities.

After breakfast at a beautiful, secret garden, organic restaurant, we were given time to explore Antigua. We were tourists in Antigua and could act like it. Kiyan would stop every few feet and take pictures because she finally could. We all finished buying our gifts for family and friends with the amount of stores that sold Guatemalan weavings, paintings, earrings, and chocolate. Indeed we were tourists, just enjoying the act of being able to shop in a different country.

The evening session was really about the group. Before leaving to go back to Grinnell, before all the work would start and we would find ourselves in snow again, we reflected on the 1o days that we spent together in a different country. A fond memory from that last session was when I realized that Martin and I had come a long way from Pomona. We went to different high schools but were from the same city. We went to the same college in the same town. Now we were on the roof of a hotel in Antigua, Guatemala watching the sun set on the last day of our trip with 10 other amazing people, including Jenny and Jhonathan. It was sad to think we would be leaving our new friends, but it was exciting to think we would begin programming at Grinnell for the grant. We would bring back those memories to Grinnell. We would try to bring in a speaker for everyone to hear the struggles we heard, pictures so people could see the struggle we saw, and videos for people to see the journey we took as a group. Hopefully people will listen and look.

-Tanya S.

]]>https://solgua14.wordpress.com/2014/01/21/antigua-aka-gringolandia/feed/0gjbarela51Las mañanitas y Canarios Preciososhttps://solgua14.wordpress.com/2014/01/19/las-mananitas-y-canarios-preciosos/
https://solgua14.wordpress.com/2014/01/19/las-mananitas-y-canarios-preciosos/#respondSun, 19 Jan 2014 23:39:14 +0000http://solgua14.wordpress.com/?p=340Today has been one of the most chill day of the whole trip. We woke up to sing “las mananitas” to Jonathan, one of the coordinators. We then went to breakfast which was great, with birds and flowers and mother nature. The canaries reminded me of when I had my own canaries, which was a very special moment for me. I could still whistle and talk to the canary which was good. Then we went to the shops to buy souvenirs and explored the city however we wanted to. My group was Amy, Cassie and me exploring all of the artsy stores that we can find plus sneaking in and out of “mercaditos” which were not so little. We also took photos and enjoying one of our last hot days of this month.

When we return we had one of our last reflection which was more of a time to showed what we appreciated about each other. I personally like this activity of reflecting what we learn about ourselves in this trip. For me, it was that I connected to strangers very fast that I did not wanted to admitted to myself until now. When we were thanking and saying what we learn from each other, the occurring theme for me was being hilarious (I did not said it, it was my team), how I connected to the people, how kind I was, and how honest and a team player I was. After this very touchy reflection, we talk about the initial words that we define in our first day in Guatemala City. Which is crazy how fast time went. We then apply those words with how we saw it in our trip.

After this we went to Fridas restaurant which had one of the best Mexicans dishes. I though the self reflections were over, but most of the dinner with discussed about race. Who constructed this privilege word and for what reason? Why separated us from other people? Feel free to comment down below about this topic. The conversation was “muy picante”, I did not contributed to the conversation a lot, but I did listen to their points that were crashing in a good way. Some points made some cry, harsh words, but honest thoughts. I always find it hard to jump in conversation without some sort of raising my hand or waiting for a pause, because it a continues talk without pauses. By the time I also wanted to said something, the point has been said that why I don’t really feel bad of not contributing. At the end, the waiters brought the surprised cake with “las mananitas” song track on the background and some extra sound makers to make it rowdy. The cake was not so much a surprise, because he choose it but the music was.

M.E.

]]>https://solgua14.wordpress.com/2014/01/19/las-mananitas-y-canarios-preciosos/feed/0gjbarela51Sentimientos del Corazónhttps://solgua14.wordpress.com/2014/01/19/sentimientos-del-corazon/
https://solgua14.wordpress.com/2014/01/19/sentimientos-del-corazon/#respondSun, 19 Jan 2014 23:12:38 +0000http://solgua14.wordpress.com/?p=336Our time in Guatemala has come to a complete circle, but now it is time for us to help share to our colleagues what we experience. I learn so many people history and background that I felt that they can be part of mine now. Elenor and Martin were the very first ones that I got to know. She was my eating partner and he was my driving and eating partner. In the second part of the trip we got to meet Don Vicente who had an excellent sense of humor and telling jokes. In the Puya mining camp, I meet with the women, men and kids that told there story. The group felt the bravery the women and men support for their women. I also connected to Andy, one of the children playing there like nothing. In the HIJOS group, we understood what Flor was telling us about not forgiving about the forgotten ones, because the government did not wanted to take responsibility. I also felt very connected to the testimonies of Edwin, Elias, both mens, and Kevin. I also like hearing what the three alums, that we had dinner with, where doing in Guatemala. The discussion we had with the professor was good about forgiving. The mayan professor was also excellent for learning what the whole ceremony meant and symbolize.

My group and I thank all the speakers and groups that took time out of their life to talk to us. Also Jenny and Jonathan and the group leaders for coordinating all the events that went smoothly as they did. Also all the drivers that drove us around Guatemala. We appreciated the time and efforts that they put in the program, I really enjoyed it. An experience of a life-time, but hopefully not the last.

Now that we are back in school, part of my heart felts empty when I’m not close to the group. I still get butterflies every time I reread this blogs or get images of our experience at this great cities that we spend time together. I miss James repetition of instructions and laugh, Kiyan out of nowhere comments, Marlu picking fights with Jason, Tanya sense of humor, Jason humility while talking at the people, Gabe keeping us on task, Amy drawing people from testimonies, Enrique learning partner (“L. P.”) laugh and thoughts, and Cassie gentle smile and sunny personality.

M.E.

]]>https://solgua14.wordpress.com/2014/01/19/sentimientos-del-corazon/feed/0gjbarela51Tiempos Duroshttps://solgua14.wordpress.com/2014/01/19/tiempos-duros/
https://solgua14.wordpress.com/2014/01/19/tiempos-duros/#respondSun, 19 Jan 2014 21:08:55 +0000http://solgua14.wordpress.com/?p=332On our way to Nueva Alianza, I sat with Omar, who specialize in agriculture. The kids in the village called him “Don Cafe”, because he is an expert with coffee plants. He was telling me that with the help of Grinnell, he wants to have the first ever “Modern” class with the women in Guatemala that will teach them about modern art, politic, and other stuffs. We where both discussing how modern art is misunderstood by society sometimes, because it might seem that the art might not have a purpose, but it does. When we see modern art, we should always look at it with two lens as if we where looking through a window or at a window. If we focus through the window, we see the objects and if we look at the window, we blur the objects and focus on the window only. Omar was also telling me about an musician that he knows that creates music and that he collaborates with an artist that makes cartoons and that they put both put their work together and it comes out spectacular. He was mentioning how there are test fields in the village that are used to test out the best breeding of plants that have the highest probability of survival and how they sell those plants for high money in other countries. When we got to the village we were escorted by the police, just to make sure nothing happens to us, because of how rural the village was.

When we arrive to Nueva Alianza, the girls stay in the main house while the boys were separated into two groups. I was with James and Omar in the bottom house which was supposedly closer to the main house. Our host family had Carlos, the dad, and four children Angelica, Carlos Jr, and two other names that I forgot. Carlos was mentioning to James and me that the house that they were living was remodel with brick two years ago, because of a project that the government started. The old house was of wood and it was not as warm as this current one. The house project is done with their village, but has move on to the second village that is next to their. When he was showing us his house, he told us not to touch the cute little puppies that he had, because they had flees and tick and they needed a shower. I almost did, but did not after his advice. He also had cute white bunnies with red eyes and ducks. He had a decent backyard in which he grew bananas, mango, oranges, macadamias nuts, and limes. He also had a tons of flowers some that I did not know off such as the worm flower that has layers of regular flowers. I told him if I could take some of the flower to take back to one of the colleagues that collected plants and he was fine by it.

I also told him if he can takes us to a hill to see the landscape downhill and when he took us, it was right beside his house. The downhill landscape was gorgeous, we could see the lake and the cities and the mountains with plantation and the sun hovering over the place was breath taking. He gave us a short history and explanation of how the coffee beans and macadamias grow and are used in the village. He told us that the macadamia has two layers a soft green/brown one and a hard brown shell. One of his children came with a macadamia nut already crack and it was delicious, it tasted like coco for me. Right besides us was a coffee plant and we also tasted it, but I was not aware that after sucking the juice, which was a little bit, we had to spit it out like sugar cane. The coffee bean look like small cherries, which I did not know. After he told us, I spited most of it except I had a piece stuck in my through and it pinch so hard, but with the water it help to swallow it which I did not get until I got back to the house. He explained that there used to be cow in a building that is now deserted and cover with plants, but that the cows had little food that they were not surviving. After the town realize this, they stop getting cows.

After this talk with Carlos, we meet with one of the person in Nueva Alianza that takes cares of the coffee beans plants. He was showing us where they started off with the plants and how much amount of heat and sunlight that they needed to stay well. He also told us the different types of anti-insects and anti-plague technique they used to combat harmful sickness to the plants. There a great deal of looking after the plants that we are not aware of. He showed us some of the coffee beans that were infected with a parasite and I got worried because of the one that I ate early on. While getting a tour of the plants we were also getting a tour of the village. Most of the other methods, Omar explained to me earlier on that I felt knowledge of getting the information first.

The other part of the tour was lead by Kevin. He told us how the coffee beans went to the factory. They first part was to separated the bad coffee beans from the good one, which they did by pouring water to a tank and the beans that flowed were bad and the sunken one were good. After they dry the coffee beans, they separated them in size. Next, they were crack open to get the seed out. We then move the beans to the factory where they went to another tank and fertilize. Afterward they were left outside to dry again and then they were roasted. I might have skip some steps, but I remember this ones. Overall the process takes more than 48 hours and it does not include growing and taking care of them. I got a better appreciation of coffee even though I personally do not drink coffee. Some where in the tour one of colleagues got an injury in her head, but she is fine. After the tour, Kevin, Jason, Enrique, Gabe, Amy, Cassie and I went to see the sun go down which was very beautiful. Kevin also taught us how to make roses out of a long leaf, which was similar to origami but with plants. He also knew how to make other items such as owls out of bamboo trees and others animals. Also it started to sprinkle at this time.

At night, we had a bonfire were Kevin explained the history of Nueva Alianza. Before Kevin told his story, most of the group was getting sick with illness at this point including me. He told us how the old boss did not paid the workers their money and when the worker were tired of this abused, he declared bankruptcy so that he would not have to paid them a dime. He explained how the village was ones united, but now they are separated in two, because of approaches of how to move forward the town. He also mention all the projects that the government is doing in the village such as the purify water system that they had in that house, new house, and other projects. We were also surprised at the fact that they have tractor and other big machines to work on the field, but they are not allow to used them because of some bullshit in a document even though it belong to them.

When we left to our home, Kevin made sure James and I got their safe. I did not understood why, until I saw the dogs barks at us that I understood why he was taking us. The dogs were scary at first, but not so much after that. When we got to the house, Carlos was waiting for us their. The light were off, because there was not enough water to generate light for the village. We had to used candle to see where we were in the house. I told James that I was not feeling good and that my energy level was down to the ground. I felt to afraid in the bonfire. I love looking at the sky and seeing the moon and star lighten the whole place, but as the bonfire went, I felt afraid. At one point, I thought of an alien dragging me in a beam of light that would take to their ships. When this cross my mind I felt nervous and afraid to look up and imaging that I would be that high in the skies panic me. I did not told anyone except briefly to Jonathan. Jenny and Jonathan were the best, they gave me some electro light to drink so that I can feel better. James also diagnosed what I might have wrong and told me some advice on how to get better from my fever, cough, and panic attack that I had. His advised help and I really appreciated the support that he gave me at that time.